That’s it, I quit
January 8th, 2006 by Sarin
On 2 Saturday’s ago, I distinctly remember that time when I am sitting on the ferry to the island of Santo Antao with my PC buddies enjoying Christmas vacation. I figured a Christmas Eve baked in the sun isn’t so bad after all.
Last Saturday, while everybody partied in typical college fashion for New Years, I did something very untypical of me. I went to church. Here I am enjoying church service in 2 languages with my friend from Nigeria. By midnight hit, I had already showered and it was time for bed. Happy New Year.
And now yesterday, is another untypical Saturday.
I fled the country.
I spent the day in Lisbon, Portugal.
I was a stranger in the city. No contacts, and all alone.
I walked so hard, I even grew calluses on top of calluses.
Most importantly: I left the Peace Corps. My day in Portugal was en route back to the USA. I arrived this morning (Sunday), jet lagged, tired, and haven’t seen a bed since Friday morning.
You’re probably thinking why, and the impacts of my decision on my life and the commmunity I committed to serve.
Basically, the answers will become clearer as the days pass. The only people who could understand my situation the best is other PC Volunteers. I, more or less, had their support. I am back home now, and if you want to know more about why I left, be prepared for a long analysis.
Do I feel guilty for leaving? A little. If I didn’t, I would have left alot earlier. I sleep better knowing that at least I did more than most people might ever do in their entire lives.
I am on an unemotional slate right now. The novelty of arriving back at home has to wear off before I go off into serious thinking. It’s good that I left, but I need some more time to heal.
So there you have it. Sarin Va. Peace Corps Volunteer no more.
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Welcome back. I’m sure it was no easy decision to come back early. Feel free to hold your head high though. As you stated, you’ve done more in the past months than most people will do their whole lives.
[…] January was the most traveled month in my existence. After terminating Peace Corps early in the year, I traveled through Portugal on my way home. My mother surprised me of a trip to Cambodia once I got home, and after touching down in Singapore, was back in my home country of Cambodia. […]